Barcelona player ratings v Sevilla: Lionel Messi 8, Frenkie de Jong 8, Jordi Alba 7

Barca close in on leaders Atletico Madrid after victory over Sevilla

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6. Had an injury scare in the warm-up but wasn’t tested much in the game. Got away with a really poor ball. Getty

Oscar Mingueza - 8. Was solid defensively no matter who he came up against and also looked comfortable on the ball. AFO

Gerard Pique - 7. Was dominant in aerial duels and looked authoritative throughout his time on the pitch, despite suffering from some knee problems. AFP

Clement Lenglet - 7. Very neat with the ball at his feet and rarely looked stretched at all defensively, which was partly down to his anticipation. Had a goal ruled out for offside. EPA

Sergino Dest - 6. Did very well to get up and down the right flank and find good spaces. However, he struggled when it came to finding the correct end product, hitting the woodwork from a good opportunity. Getty

Frenkie de Jong - 8. Progressed the ball up the pitch brilliantly, springing counter attacks and working well in tight spaces, so could have easily had an assist. Also made some intelligent defensive interventions. Getty

Sergio Busquets - 7. Made the game look so effortless, sweeping up brilliantly when needed, and showed quality on the ball. AP

Pedri - 8. Provided some truly delightful touches, showed quick thinking and real intelligence whether attacking or winning the ball back. Getty

Jordi Alba - 7. Was reserved in the first half before becoming more adventurous in the second, looking steady in both periods. Read danger brilliantly. EPA

Lionel Messi - 8. At the centre of many Barcelona attacks and played a wonderful ball through for the opener. Went on to score the second of the game, putting the game out of question. Booked for a foul on Fernando, almost getting a second for a foul on Jules Kounde. Getty

Ousmane Dembele - 8. Made some brilliant runs behind the Sevilla defence, one of which led to the opener that he took brilliantly and another that created a great chance for Messi. Booked while going off. Reuters

SUBSTITUTES: Ronald Araujo (Pique 67’) – N/R. Will be bitterly disappointed that his return to the team lasted just 15 minutes, as he showed by kicking some seats on his way off. AFP

Samuel Umtiti (Araujo 82’) – N/A. Didn’t have too much to do but carried himself with authority. Reuters

Martin BraIthwaite (Dembele 82’) – N/A. Provided some decent link up play but didn’t offer anything spectacular. laix Moriba (Pedri 71) – N/A. Put good pressure on Bono seconds after coming on and linked up well with Messi to help the talisman score Barcelona’s second of the game. Reuters

Barcelona revived their title challenge after Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla to put them two points behind Atletico Madrid.

Atletico still have two games in hand but a dip in form from La Liga's leaders has given the chasing pack hope.

Barca looked dead and buried a few weeks ago but are back on track after their ninth win in 10 La Liga games.

"We've taken some big hits and we have got up again," said Barcelona's Gerard Pique.

"Of course the title race is on, there is confidence and a lot of hope in this team."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.